Scope and Contents This file includes a report by Smedley, ‘Maldives: annual review and valedictory’ detailing the removal of Prime Minister Zaki by President Nasir, as well as reflections on the Maldives’ economy and the British decision to withdraw forces from the staging post at Gan; a report, ‘Good-bye to Sri Lanka’ by Smedley with his opinions on the state of politics, economics, and religious and ethnic divisions; correspondence between Smedley and his successor David P. Aiers (Deputy HC Australia,...

Scope and Contents This file largely contains letters to Smedley, mostly dating from the 1970s. Not all contents have been listed, but items include letters from Sir Thomas Williams MP (President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union), 27 Apr. 1977; from Alan Rudwick (Headmaster of Achimoto School), 29 Sep. 1977; from Alec Douglas-Home, July 1973; from Peter Ratcliffe (British Embassy, Laos), 14 Jan. 1975; from Mr Justice Michael Kerr, regarding family issues and law commission of 1978-81, 31 July 1978; from...

Scope and Contents This file contains a large set of notes on the Westminster House residence in Colombo (gardens, utilities and domestic staff), entertaining, dress, gifts and functions. It seems to date from 1975, and probably was prepared by Smedley as a handover to his successor. There is also a manual, ‘Notes from Newcomers produced by DSWA Colombo’. The remaining material relates to the departure of the Smedleys, including lists of gifts and of people who attended their farewell party on 5 December 1975...

Scope and Contents Collection of loose photographs, measuring 215 x 165 mm. All relate to the visit of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh to RAF Gan in the course of a tour in South East Asia and the Indian Ocean, February to March 1972. The RAF base at Gan on Addu Atoll was set up under an agreement of 1960 and remained until 1976, though the Maldives became fully independent in 1965. In 1982, the Maldives became a Special Member of the Commonwealth.H.M.Y. 'Britannia' anchored...

Scope and Contents

This file relates to the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Maldives to London in 1974, who was accompanied by Smedley. It includes a programme, ‘Visit of the Honourable Mr Ahmed Zaki PM of the Republic of Maldives, 26 October to 3 November 1974’, invitations to dinners, seating plans, an itinerary for the Scottish visit (30 October-2 November 1974), a large hand-drawn map of the Maldives, two colour postcards and one tourist brochure of the Maldives (circa 50 sheets).

Scope and Contents

Diaries, official papers, correspondence and photographs

Scope and Contents

This is a large album containing official and personal correspondence, newspaper cuttings and photographs relating to Smedley’s tenure in Sri Lanka and Maldives, beginning with his official letter of appointment and presentation of diplomatic credentials (circa 60 sheets).

Scope and Contents This file includes an account by Smedley of his visit to the Maldives, 19-22 November 1975, including detailed reports of meetings with ministers; documents by Smedley on his accompanying Ahmed Zaki (Prime Minister of Maldives, 1972-5) to London and to Aberdeen, October-November 1974; notes by Smedley on his visits to Kandy, 30 May to 1 June 1973; Jaffna, 22 to 26 September 1973; southern Sri Lanka, 13 to 19 March 1974; east and southeast Sri Lanka, 8 May 1974; northern Sri Lanka, 26 to 31...

Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.